40 injured as Indian forces open fire on Muharram procession in occupied Kashmir

At least 40 people were injured when Indian forces resorted to brutality and opened fire on a Muharram procession that paid tribute to Imam Hussain (RA) on Saturday.

Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to organize traditional processions during the holy month.

Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in large numbers.

Ali and others who witnessed the clashes said that security forces fired pellets and tear gas canisters to break up the meeting.

"The forces fired pellets at the procession which was mainly peaceful and included women," said another witness, Iqbal Ahmad.

At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.

About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor who asked not to be identified told AFP.

"We transferred a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment," the doctor said.

A police officer confirmed the incident, saying: "Some people had gathered and were trying to start a procession, they dispersed." He did not give details of the casualties.

Muharram's processions to mourn Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in battle some 1400 years ago in Karbala, are carried out all over the world but have been banned regularly in occupied Kashmir since an uprising broke out in 1989.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Last year, India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since then.

Muslims in the procession chanted pro-separatist and anti-Indian slogans, other witnesses said.

This week there have been several arrests of people shouting against the Indian government when processions have been attempted, a police officer said. Some have been charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Dozens of mourners were detained in Srinagar on Friday after they tried to start the Muharram processions.